LOCAL SUBMARINE ERUPTION

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 42, 13 November 1926, Page 10

LOCAL SUBMARINE ERUPTION

Sir,—ln reference .to my letter published iu The Dominion of October 8, the evidence now- available indicates that the eruption did take place not far from Castlepoint, and that it occurred on August 22 or 23, which was a date that had been given in my forecast, published at the beginning of .Time, for m.creascd eruption at Ngauruhoe and volcanic activity in other parts. As predicted, the activity of Ngauruhoe aid subside during the first half of August,. and did increase again from about the 16th till the 22nd or. 23rd. But its culmination did not quite reach the intensity I expected. The escape of pressure from an unknown vent so close at hand would account for this, and would mitigate the severity of local earthquakes whicn occurred about the time. This submarine vent is not necessarily an entirely new one. It may have Originated in 1855, or even earlier. If in eruption at any time during the latter halt of Inst century, it could then emit nothing bnt vapour and dust, which would not readily betray its existence, Ths fact that it haenorw entered upon

a period for the eruption of pumice indicates changes here and in all other parts of the world, which call for careful investigation. Locally it means that within the not very distant future the extrusion of molten lava in New Zealand will follow, and that, in all proba.bility, another White Island- will be built up near the East Coast. It means, too, increased security from eruptions and earthquakes upon the mainland, especially in the southern- portion of the Wellington Province. . This , new vent is very likely to eject pumice again next year, between May 27 and June 2, and again about September 26. But, its activity will be greater still about 1952.— I am, etc., FREDK. R. FIELD. 212 Balmoral Road, Auckland, November 6, 1926. .